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Saint Louis University recognized for its "contribution to the public good."

Once again, Saint Louis University has earned national recognition for community service.

In its recent "2011 College Rankings" issue, Washington Monthly magazine named SLU No. 2 on its list of universities that participate in the most community service. Overall, the University was listed 94th out of 258 colleges making a "contribution to the public good." (The Huffington Post picked up the news as well.)

These rankings will come as no surprise to those familiar with SLU's commitment to service and outreach, a core foundation of the University's mission.

In fact, SLU students, faculty and staff complete more than one million service hours each year. Eighty-four percent of the student body volunteers each year.

The Washington Monthly rankings follow the recent announcement that the University made the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, the highest federal recognition a school can achieve for its commitment to service-learning and civic engagement, for the fourth consecutive year.

Here are some of the many ways Saint Louis University serves others:

The 2010 Make A Difference Day, an annual fall service event, was the largest in the University’s history and one of the largest collegiate days of service in the nation: 2,778 SLU volunteers assisted 121 agencies and schools in the St. Louis area. Watch a video about Make A Difference Day at SLU.

SLU’s annual Relay for Life raises funds and awareness for cancer research and patients. Students, employees and friends raised more than $165,000 in 2011.

The University’s chapter of Alpha Phi Omega, a co-ed service fraternity, is the largest in the nation per capita, as well as one of the biggest student organizations on campus. Visit APO’s website.

SLU’s fraternities and sororities make service a big part of their activities. They participate in events for local hospitals, Ronald McDonald House, Big Brothers Big Sisters and a variety of disease awareness efforts. Find out more about Greek life at SLU.

The Micah Program is a faith-based learning community in which students live, study and work on service projects together. The program takes its name from the Biblical prophet Micah, who spoke out against social injustice. Visit the Micah Program website.

SLU students and volunteers cook and deliver meals to St. Louis neighbors in need as part of a unique cooperative between the University, the Campus Kitchens Project and local nonprofit service organizations. FInd out more about volunteer opportunities.

To further its commitment to service, SLU created the Center for Service and Community Engagement, which acts as a clearinghouse for service opportunities and promotes greater synergies between the classroom and the community. For more information about service at SLU, visit the center’s website at www.slu.edu/service.xml.